Gill Shephard, also known as "Texan Gill", was an attemptee-mainstay in the Extravaganza Series from 1977 to 1985. His best ever finish was a third place at Nashville in 1980, driving a blue #39 unsponsored Oldsmobile for the Geckman brothers. During and after his racing career, he was a professional flute player for the Jethro Tull tribute band "Mother Goose". Gill had just turned 79.